(The Center Square) — New Jersey has sued the private operator of a Newark ICE detention center that has been the site of violent protests for weeks, accusing the company of blocking state health inspectors from investigating claims of unsanitary conditions in the facility.
The lawsuit, filed in state Superior Court Tuesday, asks a federal judge to grant the New Jersey Department of Health “full access” to the Delaney Hall facility, claiming the detention center — which has been the site of violent protests over the past two weeks — has “well-documented concerns” about “inhumane” and “unsanitary conditions” for about 300 detainees being held on immigration violations and other charges.
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said health inspectors attempted to conduct a “full” inspection of the facility on May 28, but Geo Group — the company that operates the facility — only allowed to view the kitchen and cafeteria and were barred from viewing the medical, toilets and showers as well as sleeping areas for the detainees.
The lawsuit said the “routine” health inspections are mandated by state law to detect any “unchecked spread of foodborne, airborne, or other illnesses” by ensuring there is sufficient ventilation, adequate medical facilities, proper solid and medical waste storage and disposal, sanitary bathing or showering facilities and sufficient sleeping areas, among other conditions.
“The consequences of such practices being left unchecked threaten not only the health and safety of residents of Delaney Hall, but also the public at large, if employees or other visitors to the facility contract an illness and spread it after they have departed the facility,” the lawsuit reads.
But state leaders also want to investigate claims by family members of detainees that the facility is unsanitary and that guards have been abusing people in custody.
“If the GEO Group — with a $1 billion government contract — has nothing to hide and the conditions inside Delaney Hall are as safe and as sanitary as this private corporation and the Trump Administration claim, then there is no legitimate reason why my health inspectors are being kept from full access throughout the building,” Gov. Mikie Sherrill said in a statement.
“The people of New Jersey deserve transparency and accountability, and I will continue using all the power of this office to advocate for the detainees and their families,” she added.
But the Department of Homeland Security pushed back on the allegations of mistreatment and substandard conditions in the New Jersey facility, saying detainees “are provided with proper meals, quality water, blankets, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers.”
The agency said ICE is “regularly” audited and inspected by “external” agencies.
“This is a frivolous lawsuit,” a DHS spokesperson posted on X. “ICE is committed to transparency, and Delaney Hall complies with all required state and local laws. We will continue to grant state and local inspectors’ access to the facility where appropriate.”
The Delaney Hall ICE facility has become the latest flashpoint in opposition to President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration since a group of detainees allegedly went on a hunger strike to protest conditions inside the facility.
The privately-run 1,000-bed facility has been rocked by more than a week of protests as Sherrill refused to send in state police to intervene in violent clashes between protestors and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, prompting criticism from the Trump administration.
Sherill reversed course last Friday, declaring that state authorities would take over policing outside the ICE facility and set up a perimeter of gates for a “protected speech zone” to contain the demonstrations.
A 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew set by Newark Mayor Ras Baraka remains in effect outside the facility. Dozens have been arrested, including a Newark man who is facing federal charges for allegedly “savagely biting” an ICE agent.
